Medical gown with slide lock neck closure

ABSTRACT

An over the head gown is provided having a one-way lock for receiving a neck tie strap which facilitates closure of the head opening around the wearer&#39;s neck and closure of the rear gap in the back panels of the gown. Initially, the necktie strap is partially inserted through the lock, and then the gown is placed over the wearer&#39;s head. The loose end of the strap can then be pulled, without reaching behind the wearer&#39;s head or neck, to tighten the head opening and close the gap in the back of the gown. The gown can be removed by detaching the necktie strap or the lock from the gown then pulling the gown from the wearer&#39;s body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an over-the-head gown such as those worn by medical professionals and patients which has a single neck tie strap and a slide lock through which the strap extends for tightening the head opening of the gown.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical gowns are used and designed to provide personal protection to an array of users. They are used by patients, visitors, general staff, and healthcare workers. The vast majority are used by healthcare workers who require a product that is either disposable or reusable, and that protects and is quick and easy to put on (donning) and remove (doffing). Securing the gown properly with a simple method is critical. There are currently many gown designs on the market. One type of older style gown has a neck portion which is open in the back, and is closed using a simple neck-tie, a hook & loop fastener (i.e. Velcro), or an adhesive strip. More recently, “over-the-head” gowns have become available wherein the neck portion extends 360° with a static sized opening and several versions may be enlarged by the user or manufacturer for an easier fit over the head. In this over-the-head type gown, the enlarged head opening can often be synched closed with elastics or other methods.

All of the old-style neck closure designs (non over-the-head) will secure the gown if used properly, but many users do not take the time or effort to secure them properly as they are cumbersome and difficult. These old-style gowns require extensive manipulation that will cause the user to reach behind their neck at some point in the process in order to complete the proper closure and securement of their gown. This manipulation is time consuming and difficult, often painful for those with back, neck or shoulder injuries or issues. In many cases it requires the help of a colleague which again takes away from the time to care for a patient.

The over-the-head gown options currently on the market were launched in an effort to almost force the user to properly don the gown and meet proper infection prevention protocols. Current over-the-head designs do allow for proper donning of the gown from the neck closure standpoint, but all have certain drawbacks that remain a hindrance for the end-user in the ease and comfort of use. There is a major need for a quick and simple design that can allow healthcare workers to put on their gown without reaching behind their neck or getting the help of another person but also giving full protection of the user.

Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of a gown which overcomes the shortcomings of prior art gowns.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an over-the-head gown which can be donned without the wearer reaching behind his/her neck or head.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an over-the-head gown having a single neck tie strap and a strap or slide lock for securing the strap and allowing the user to reduce in size the neck opening to tighten to a proper fit after the gown is placed over the head of the person.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a medical gown for health care workers and patients which can be put on without assistance from another person.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a gown having a one-way locking member for retaining a neck tie strap that allows the users to tighten the opening to a proper fit.

Another objective of the present invention is the method of quickly and easily donning an over-the-head gown without reaching behind the wearer's head or neck.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a gown which can be quickly and easily doffed by detaching a neck tie strap or slide lock from the gown.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a gown which is pre-assembled prior to donning with a necktie strap partially inserted through a slide lock adjacent to the neck to form an enlarged opening through which the wearer's head fits.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved gown which is economic to manufacture, easy and safe to wear and remove, and provides appropriate protection for the wearer.

These and other objectives become apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Solving the neck closure/proper donning issue described above is this new design and method of usage:

-   -   Neck tie/closure is permanently secured to form a large neck         opening (ring) large enough for the user to comfortably and         easily put their head through the ring either by raising the         ring over their head and bringing it down to rest on the         shoulders, upper back and neck area or by leaning their head         forward and moving their head into the open ring.     -   The gown is composed of two sides at the rear of the gown that,         when closed, meet at the center of the back and neck.     -   At one side of the top of the back of the gown towards the edge         of the opening of the gown (can be done from with left or right         side) the neck-tie material is permanently secured or is         considered the continuation of material encircling the entire         neck surrounding the entire neck opening.     -   At the opposite side of the top of the back of the gown the end         of the open end of the neck-tie is secured to the gown through a         one-directional “slide lock” that allows material to be pulled         in one direction but does not allow for it to slide back in the         other direction. This is accomplished through several types of         slide lock options, all of which will perform this similar         function.     -   After putting on the gown, over the head, the user will take the         open end of the neck-tie from the side of the neck area, with         either hand (or with both hands if preferred, one holding the         slide lock and the other holding the end of the neck-tie), and         pull the tie through the slide lock to close the open neck ring         until it is comfortable, secure and properly protecting the user         to meet all health and infection prevention protocols.     -   Securing the neck-tie properly, using this method, will give the         user a proper fit and also close the top of the back of the gown         for full protection.     -   Varying slide lock methods will be used to allow for the user to         “unlock” the slide and re-loosen the neck-tie back to its         original open ring for reusable options and purposes when         desired in alternative embodiments.     -   For simple and aesthetic removal of the gown, the user will pull         the gown forward from the front, upper chest area (recommended         to be done with arms crossed but can be done without arms being         crossed). With this motion the neck-tie will break-free in one         of 2 methods:         -   1. The slide lock is attached to the gown (with glue,             ultrasonic welding or other methods) in a way that remains             firmly attached during regular usage and wear and tear by             the user, but pressure of the gown being pulled from the             front will cause the slide lock to release (pop-off) from             it's attachment and release the neck-tie; or         -   2. On certain neck-tie designs, the first end of the tie             strap that is attached to the gown (the non-slide lock end)             will be attached to the gown (with glue, ultrasonic welding             or other methods) in a way that remains firmly attached             during regular usage and wear and tear by the user, but             pressure of the gown being pulled from the front will cause             the first end of the tie strap to release (pop-off) from             it's attachment and release the neck-tie.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of the gown of the present invention, with the first end of the necktie strap partially inserted through the strap or slide lock on one side of the neck opening to form a head opening through which the wearer's head can pass for donning the gown and with the second end of the strap hanging free or loose.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the gown with the first end of the necktie strap pulled further through the slide lock after the gown is donned.

FIG. 3 is another rear elevation view of the gown as worn by a person, with the necktie strap pulled through the slide lock to close the vertical gap in the back of the gown.

FIG. 4 A is a rear elevation view of the gown showing the slide lock detached from the gown for removal of the gown from the person's body.

FIG. 4B is a rear elevation view of the gown showing the first end of the neck tie strap detached from the upper right corner of the rear gown panel, for removal of the gown from the person's body.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the slide lock and tie strap before insertion of the strap into the slide lock.

FIG. 6 is a view of the slide lock with the necktie strap partially inserted through the slide lock.

FIG. 7A shows an alternative embodiment of the strap or slide lock with an enlarged mouth for receiving the tie strap.

FIG. 7B is a view of another alternative embodiment of the strap or slide lock having a closeable hinge for a reusable version.

FIG. 7C is a view showing a third alternative embodiment of the strap or slide lock with a curved tubular body.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged perspective view of the strap or slide lock showing the one-way or uni-directional teeth inside the slide lock body.

FIG. 8 B is a sectional view of the lock taken along lines 8B-8B of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8 C is another sectional view of the lock taken along lines 8C-8C of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a hinged lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An over-the-head gown, such as a medical gown worn by doctors, nurses, health care providers, and patients, is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral 10. The gown includes a front panel 12 a pair of back panels 14, and sleeves 16. The back panels 14 have vertical edges 18 defining a gap 20 between the panels 14. The back panels 14 also have upper left and right corners 22, 24. The top of the front and back panels 12, 14 define the neck 26 of the gown 10.

The above structure of the gown 10 is conventional. It is understood that the gown can take other forms, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the sleeves 16 may be long or short or may be eliminated or the back panels 14 may be different sizes or configurations for closure.

The invention is directed toward a system for closing the rear gap 20 of the back panels 14, at least adjacent to the neck 26. This system includes a neck tie strap 28 having a first end 29 attached to one of the upper corners 22, 24 of the gown 10. A lock assembly 30 is attached adjacent the neck 26, preferably at or close to the other one of the upper corners 22, 24. Thus, the lock 30 sits upon the gown, rather than being spaced from the gown by a mounting strap. In one embodiment, the lock 30 includes a rectangular/tubular body 32 with one or more internal teeth 34. The strap 28 has a substantially smooth exterior surface and is adapted to be pulled or slide through the body 32 of the lock 30. The teeth 34 are angled so as to allow the strap 28 to be pulled through the body 32 in only one direction and prevent removal of the strap 28 in the opposite direction from the body 32.

One example of a commercially available strap or slide lock 30 is sold by Richest Pack in Shenzhen, China as a plastic wristband lock. The lock has at least one flat side for facilitating attachment to the gown. It is understood that the lock may take other shapes and configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the lock may have a single tooth or ratchet for engaging the strap. The lock may have other mechanical means to limit sliding of the strap through the lock, other than the teeth shown in the drawings, such as a cinching mechanism, a spring biased member to grip the strap, or other device to allow the strap to be locked in a desired tightened position after the gown is donned and to prevent the strap from being accidentally withdrawn from the lock Also, while a one direction lock is preferred, a two way lock may be used to allow the head opening to be tightened or loosened.

Preferably, in the manufacturing of the gown, the loose or free end 36 of the strap 28 is partially inserted through the body 32 of the slide lock 30 so as to form a head opening 38 for the gown 10. Thus, the gown 10 is an over-the-head type of gown. This pre-insertion step of the loose end 36 of the strap 28 through the body 32 of the slide lock should be done by the manufacturer to complete the over-the-head design process before the gown is donned.

The gown 10 can then be placed over the head of the wearer, either by the wearer himself/herself or with assistance from another person. Then, the loose end 36 of the strap 28 can be grasped by the wearer or by the assistant and pulled further through the slide lock 30 so as to reduce the size of the head opening 38 and thereby pull the upper corners 22, 24 together so as to close the gap 20 adjacent to the back of the wearer's neck.

When it is time to remove the gown 10, the wearer or another person can pull on the front panel 12 of the gown 10 to detach the first end 29 of the strap 28 and/or to detach the lock 30 from the gown corners 22, 24. The detachment of the strap 28 and/or the slide lock 30 allows the gown 10 to be pulled forward off the wearer's body, since the head opening 38 no longer encircles the neck.

The detachable connection of the strap 28 and/or the lock 30 to the gown tend to be by any convenient means such as an adhesive, hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro), weak stitching, ultrasonic welding, or any other convenient means. As a further option for removing the gown 10, but not clinically recommended, the neck 26 of the gown may be torn to enlarge the head opening 38 and thereby allow the gown to be pulled off over the wearer's head.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show alternative embodiments for the strap lock of the gown 10. The first alternative embodiment lock 30A has an outwardly flared inlet end 40 for receipt of the free end of the strap 28. In the second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the strap lock 30B has a hinge which allows the lock to be opened for removal and/or receipt of the strap 28. The hinge 42 also provides a mounting surface to attach the lock 30B to one of the gown corners 22, 24. In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7C, the lock 30C has a curved tubular body to direct the loose end 36 of the strap 28 toward the back of the gown 10 to maintain the loose end 36 towards the back of the user so as not to interfere during use.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a lock 30D having a hinge 31 with allows the lock body to be opened for receipt of the strap 28. After the strap is positioned in the lock 30D, the open halves can be closed to secure the strap in a selected position.

Thus, the over the head gown 10 of the present invention has multiple unique features, including:

-   -   Neck-tie closure method using a one-directional strap lock;     -   Neck-tie closure method using only one neck strap;     -   The one-way strap lock removes the need to tie or do any further         securement of the neck closure;     -   Simple design to allow effortless securement without reaching         behind the wearer's head, neck or complicated manipulation;     -   Neck-tie strap with securing end easily reachable from the         front;     -   single hand motion to secure that can be done with either the         left or right hand. (both hands can be used as an option if         preferred, but not necessary);     -   Neck-tie strap secured in this way to allow full back closure         simply and completely;     -   Can be manufactured to be secured from either side (left or         right);     -   Design eliminates the issues with current over-the-head designs         that have a single sized hole for the user head that will be too         tight for donning for some or too large an opening around the         neck for many users and infection prevention standards (one size         does not fit all);     -   Design eliminates the issue with other over-the-head designs         that would have a flexible sized opening for the head but will         leave an opening in the back closure and potentially a too low         neck opening of the front of the gown;     -   Design eliminates all the issues described above for non         over-the-head designs.

The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 

1. An over-the-head medical gown to be worn by a person comprising: a front portion; a back portion having opposite left and right edges defining a vertical opening therebetween and opposite first and second upper corners; the corners being movable between an initial spaced apart open position and a pulled together closed position; the front and back portions defining a neck opening extending between the upper corners; left and right sleeves adapted to receive the person's arms; the neck opening having only one strap for closing the neck opening after the gown is donned; the strap having a first end fixed to the back portion adjacent the first upper corner and a free second end; and a strap lock mounted directly on the gown adjacent the second upper corner without the use of a mounting strap; the strap and the strap lock being pre-assembled with the free end of the strap pulled partially through the lock such that the neck opening and the strap form a 360° entrance through which a person's head is insertable for donning the medical gown; whereby the free second end of the strap is adapted to slide in only a first direction through the strap lock to lock the strap in the strap lock and preclude pulling in the opposite direction; whereby the gown is donned by inserting the person's head through the entrance and their arms through the sleeves; whereby the strap is adapted to be pulled through the slide lock after the gown is donned to pull the first corner toward the second corner and thereby pull the corners from the first position to the second position to close the the neck opening adjacent a back of the person's neck; and the strap and the strap lock being positioned on the gown and adapted for pulling the strap through the strap lock after the gown is donned-without reaching behind the person's head; and one of the strap and the strap lock being detachably mounted on the gown to permit opening of the neck opening while the gown is donned.
 2. The medical gown of claim 1 wherein the slide lock has teeth to preclude the strap from pulling in a direction opposite the first direction. 3.-5. (canceled)
 6. The medical gown of claim 1 wherein the strap lock has a tubular body with internal teeth.
 7. The medical gown of claim 6 wherein the body has opposite ends with a bend between the opposite ends.
 8. The medical gown of claim 6 wherein the strap is smooth and free from protrusions and indentations.
 9. An over-the-head gown for a person to wear, comprising: front and back panels with a neck opening; the back panel having a vertical opening with opposite upper corners; left and right sleeves; a strap attached at a first end to the back panel adjacent one of the upper corners; and a strap lock having a tubular body mounted on the other upper corner without the use of a mounting strap, and the tubular body having an internal member to engage the strap; the strap having a second end adapted to pass through the strap lock for retention by the internal member so that pulling on the strap closes the vertical opening adjacent the neck opening; the strap being partially extended through the strap lock before the person dons the gown and is then pullable further through the slide lock after the person dons the gown; the corners being movable from an initial open position to a closed position, after the gown is donned by inserting the person's head through the neck opening and with arms through the sleeves, by pulling on the second end of the strap by the person from in front of their body without reaching behind their head or neck.
 10. The gown of claim 9 wherein the strap lock mounted directly on the gown without the use of a mounting strap.
 11. The gown of claim 9 wherein the strap slides in only one direction through the strap lock.
 12. The gown of claim 9 wherein the strap is not retractable from the strap lock. 13.-19. (canceled) 